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Thursday, January 22, 2015

Hello readers: I'm so excited to bring you my interview of Katie Sparks––a wonderful middle-grade author who also happens to be my friend and amazing critique partner! I had the pleasure of reading this book in all stages––from inception to publication. It's soooo super cute, funny, and authentic - just like the author herself!

Where did you get the idea for
Reality Natalie?

About 5 or 6 years ago, I was
completely enthralled with all of the reality shows that were popping up on TV.
They ranged from singing competitions and talent shows to cooking or bake offs
and clothing designer contests. The list became endless. But one thing I
noticed was that none of them were for little kids. At the time, I believe the
youngest person who could audition for American Idol, had to be 16. However, I
knew that despite these rules, some of those watching these shows were kids!From that realization, I thought about a girl
who was obsessed with reality television.

Thus, Reality Natalie was born!

Describe how you created characters
that speak and act so authentically.

I combed through my story several
times and tried to find areas where I explained something in my voice instead
of how an 11-year-old might see it, and tweaked them. For example, every time
Natalie notices her parents look at each other in thought, she wonders if it’s
some sort mind-reading skill you get when you are get married.

People always say that kids say the
darndest things and it’s true! The hardest part is getting yourself to remember
what it was like at that age and to see the world through their eyes. Finding
your character’s voice and keeping it consistent throughout helps make your
story stronger and more authentic sounding.

What type of revisions did you make
after FIREDRAKE acquired it? Were there any you didn't agree with?

My publisher and I went through
several rounds of edits looking for various things at each time. The first time
around we looked for the global, large-scale edits like red herrings, loose
ends or plot points that didn’t work or make sense. Natalie has a blog that she
enjoys so I had to make sure the timing for each of her posts were correct and
made sense.

At one point in the revision stage,
we had a conversation whether or not one of my characters was being too hard or
too soft on another. My publisher and I talked it over and I decided to revise
it based on some of our talking points. What came out of that is a stronger,
well-rounded scene that satisfied both my publisher and myself, and rang true
for the characters.

What advice do you have for other
middle-grade authors seeking publication?

My advice pertains more to the
writing than the act of trying to get published. Middle grade is a tough
audience to write for. Your characters are out of the “baby stage” but not
quite a young adult. Their main focus is typically their friends and family and
the surrounding world around them. It’s also very important to keep in mind the
middle grade voice.

What are you working on now?

I always have several projects up my
sleeve. It helps me to bounce and back forth between them so I don’t get too
stuck on one. Plus, it helps drum up ideas. For me, and I’m sure for many
writers, taking a break from one WIP for a bit and then coming back to it later
with fresh eyes can really help. Right now, I’m working on a couple new middle
grade novels, one possibly with series potential. They are very different
concepts; one is serious and the other is more fairy-tale related. I also am
trying my hand at a few different picture book ideas. It’s always been a big
goal of mine to publish a picture book!

What do you love most about being
published?This might sound cheesy, but I really like seeing my name on a
published book. There are a million other exciting things about being published
but since I was a little girl I’ve already wanted to experience that moment
where I held a book in my hands and this time, my name was it.

Who was your favorite character and
why?I relate a lot to Natalie since I share many of her qualities, but I
grew to love Robbie Lovelton, a secondary character in the book. He isn’t quite
a class-clown, but nonetheless, is a boy in Natalie’s class that enjoys getting
on her nerves. Despite his quirks, he is endearing and even funny at times. I’ve even begun thinking of writing a story
from his perspective, but that’s just a thought right now!

Where and when do you write?I don’t have a specific time that I
write, but I have found that middle of the day works well for me. I also try to
carve out time after work at a coffee shop to write. It forces me to focus and there
are fewer distractions than home. Otherwise, I enjoy getting up early on the
weekend, making coffee and writing before the craziness of the day begins.

Do you have a muse, music, or
certain drink you must have while writing?Coffee, coffee, coffee! I wish could
listen to music but that ends up being a distraction for me. I’ll start singing
the words and totally lose my train of thought!

Katie Sparks and her cat, Moe

Dogs or cats? Why?I love dogs, but
I’m going to have to go with cats. I have a very vocal cat, Moe, at home who
actually acts more like a dog. She’s crazy, but I love her!

Favorite recent MG books (besides
yours of course!) from past three years:I really enjoy reading the books
listed on the Rebecca Caudill list each other. I don’t get to all of them but I
try! Some that have really stuck out for me recently include Every Soul a Star, Mockingbird and Out of My Mind.

Favorite MG of all time:Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babitt (turned 40 this
year!). I read this book when I was younger and just fell in the love with the
characters and the story.Who wouldn’t
want to be immortal?

Thursday, January 1, 2015

Here are the finalists - Who should win? Let me know in the comments or on Twitter or Facebook - thanks!

ENTRY # 1

ENTRY #2

Entry #3

My grandma is a one smart cookie because she is funny and wise. She helps out on holidays and helps even if no one even asks. Therefore I think my grandma is a one smart cookie.

WIN A
KLU COLOR TABLET!

by entering the

MY GRANDMA IS “ONE SMART
COOKIE” CONTEST!

1 Lonely Teen Girl

+1
Deal with the Polish Spirit of Love

(courtesy of her
one smart, spirit-conjuring grandmother, of course)

2
Tasty Boys (and a whole batch of deception)

16-year-old
Sophie Dumbrowski’s grandma is one smart cookie. How about yours?

Is your grandmother (alive or deceased) one
smart cookie? Does she do amazing things for her community, your family, or her
health?Does she go out of her way to
make your life better? Does she bake the best cookies in the world? Then tell
the world about it!

To enter,
all you need to do is submit a picture of your grandmother (alone, with you or
your family, in action…whatever
works!) and write a one to three sentence caption telling why she’s so smart /
wonderful / generous/ (fill in the blank). Winners will be judged on the overall quality of the writing
(conventions /word choice), the ability to make a connection to the reader, and
having a clear photo that focuses on your grandmother. ENTRANTS AGES 13-21
WELCOME!

Captions
should begin with “My grandma (NAME) is one smart cookie because…”